Hook and loop attachment of solar panels to roofing membranes

Abstract

An energy generating system for placement on a roof structure is disclosed including one or more solar panels being secured to roof system components. The solar panels are secured thereto with hook and loop fasteners that may be integral with the roof system components.

1 . A roofing system, comprising:
 a membrane disposed on a structure;   at least one intermediate member disposed on a top of said membrane;   at least one intermediate member fastener secured to each said intermediate member; and   at least one photovoltaic device, each said photovoltaic device including a top surface adapted to receive light and a bottom surface having at least one device fastener secured thereto, each said at least one photovoltaic device having an outer periphery,   wherein said at least one intermediate member fastener and said at least one device fastener are alternately of a hook or loop structure and are positioned adjacent to each other to secure said at least one photovoltaic device to a corresponding one of said intermediate member so that a portion of said at least one photovoltaic device's outer periphery is substantially aligned with at least a portion of said corresponding one of said intermediate member's outer periphery.   
     
     
         2 . The roofing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one intermediate member is a paver having interlocking edges. 
     
     
         3 . The roofing system according to  claim 2 , wherein each said photovoltaic device includes a frame positioned around said outer periphery of said photovoltaic device and having said at least one intermediate member fastener secured to a bottom surface of said frame. 
     
     
         4 . The roofing system according to  claim 2 , wherein each said paver has an outer periphery that substantially aligns with said outer periphery of said photovoltaic device when said at least one photovoltaic device is secured to said paver. 
     
     
         5 . The roofing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one intermediate member is a pad having a bottom surface and a top surface, said top surface having said at least one intermediate member fastener secured thereto, said bottom surface secured to said membrane. 
     
     
         6 . The roofing system according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one device fastener is a strip that intersects with said at least one intermediate member fastener. 
     
     
         7 . The roofing system according to  claim 6 , wherein each said walkway pad has a corner periphery and wherein each said at least one photovoltaic device has a corner periphery substantially aligned with said corner periphery of said walkway pad when said at least one photovoltaic device is secured to said walkway pad. 
     
     
         8 . An energy generating system for placement on a roof structure comprising:
 at least one pad having a bottom surface and a top surface, said top surface having at least one pad fastener secured thereto, said bottom surface being secured to a roof membrane;   a photovoltaic device including a top surface adapted to receive light and a bottom surface having at least one device fastener secured thereto;   wherein said at least one paver fastener and said at least one device fastener are alternately of a hook or loop structure and are positioned adjacent to each other to secure said photovoltaic device to said paver.   
     
     
         9 . The energy generating system of  claim 8 , where said at least one device fastener is secured to said bottom surface of said photovoltaic device by an adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . The energy generating system of  claim 8 , where said at least one pad fastener is secured to said pad by an adhesive. 
     
     
         11 . The energy generating system of  claim 8 , where said at least one pad fastener and said at least one device fastener are narrow strips. 
     
     
         12 . The energy generating system of  claim 11 , where said pad and said device have multiple narrow strips of fastener and where said narrow strips are positioned parallel to one another. 
     
     
         13 . The energy generating system of  claim 8 , where said bottom surface is adhered to said roofing membrane by adhesive tape. 
     
     
         14 . The energy generating system of  claim 8 , including a plurality of pads and where said pads are positioned in an abutting contiguous row. 
     
     
         15 . A method of installing an energy generating roofing system comprising:
 installing a roofing membrane over a roof deck;   positioning a plurality of pavers on said roofing membrane, each of said pavers including an upper tongue extending from a first edge and a lower tongue extending from a second opposing edge, said upper and lower tongues configured to provide an interlocking engagement between adjacent pavers; and   securing a photovoltaic device to at least one of the pavers using hook and loop type fasteners.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 installing an insulation layer on the roof deck prior to the step of installing the roofing membrane.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said step of securing a photovoltaic device to at least one of the pavers includes securing a paver fastener to at least one of the pavers, securing a device fastener to a bottom surface of the photovoltaic device, and positioning the paver fastener and device fastener adjacent to one another to secure the photovoltaic device to the paver, wherein the paver fastener and device fastener are alternatively of a hoop and loop structure. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said paver fastener is secured to at least one of the pavers using an adhesive. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said device fastener is secured to the bottom surface of the photovoltaic device using an adhesive. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of said pavers is provided to the roofing installation location with a pre-applied paver fastener, and wherein the photovoltaic device is provided to the roofing installation location with a pre-applied device fastener.